Coral Reef Collage

In this activity students will explore colour, texture and shape to create a collage inspired by the coral reef. Students will explore and analyse the artworks of multiple artists who use the subject matter of the coral reef in their own work and draw inspiration from this.

Lesson 1

In this lesson students will explore artists who are inspired by the coral reef. Students will research and discuss artists such as Courtney Mattison, Melanie Hava and Matt Miller. Students will compare and contrast the artists and their work and discuss how they have portrayed the coral reef in their pieces.

Students will then explore water colours and water colour techniques. They will complete techniques such as dry brushing, wet on wet applications and wet on dry applications as well as layering to create hand made papers.

Lesson 2

Students will use their hand made water colour papers form the previous lesson to create their own coral reef design using collage. Students will explore the shapes of the reef and simplify these by drawing them on the back of their coloured papers. Students create a variety of shapes and sizes of papers.

Lesson 3

Students continue to cut and create shapes for their reef considering how they will create their composition with layers. Once students have cut their shapes they will layer them together until they are happy with their layout. They will then stick down their pieces.

Reflection:

Students can discuss how the artists they explored influenced their own work and how they have represented ideas through their collage.

Extension and Differentiation:

Students can choose to work in different scales to create their artwork. They can also work collaboratively and share their handmade papers with their classmates

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